Macedonian shad

© Jörg Freyhof

Macedonian shad are a landlocked species reaching up to 300 mm SL. They were previously present in two lakes but the Lake Koronia population is extinct; thus the species is now limited to Lake Volvi (Giantsis et al. 2015). The species apparently spawns in the lake and overfishing is its primary threat. Most recently, stocks appear to be doing well as commercial fisherman have lost interest in the species (Giantsis et al. 2015).

As it is a landlocked species, and does not spawn in tributaries, there is currently little threat from hydropower.

  • IUCN-Redlist Vulnerable
  • EUR-HAB-DIR ---
  • Bern Convention ---
  • Hydropower Sensitivity Low
  • Balkan Dam Threat * Low to Moderate

* The assessment of Balkan Dam Threat is based on the loss of habitat that would occur if all or most of the planned hydropower schemes in the distribution range of the species were to be built. For more precise specification see Fish Study, page 8.

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